Stacy Iest Hsu has been designing for almost 20 years.

She grew up on her parents farm in California's Central Valley where she sketched and painted, and dreamed of being a designer.  After college, Stacy decided to move to San Francisco to try and make her mark as a designer.  

The panel from Stacy's first Moda collection, Lil Red.

Unsure what area of design to pursue, Stacy enrolled in a local school that focused on textile and surface design.  It didn't take long for her to realize that this was what she was meant to do.  She eventually worked for various companies, including Janie and Jack, Baby Gap, and Tiny Prints.  

While her design portfolio includes rugs, stationery and fabric for the garment industry, Stacy believes she has finally gotten to where she was always meant to be, designing fabric for Moda.  It was a lifelong dream. 

It has been a dream for Moda too as Stacy's next collection, ABC...xyz, will be her twenty-ninth.  (All in the space of seven years!)

As a mother of three, designing projects for makers of all ages is one of her passions, leading to many creative, original Cut-and-Sew panels for her collections.  With that inspiration, Stacy's designs for Moda are often whimsical and perfect for kids - she particularly loves designing novelty prints.   

The large Alphabet Panel print from ABC...xyz. (SKU 20811 11.). Measuring 36" x 44" with blocks that are approximately 6½" x 6½", this can be quilted for a wall-hanging, or cut up and used in a quilt.  (Stacy has two quilt patterns for this panel - shown below.)

Every collection includes a panel for a soft-book and some kind of softie, ABC...xyz has a book and two finger-puppets.  (The SKU is 20810 11.)

Now settled in the San Francisco Bay Area, Stacy is married, and has three children that keep her very busy.  She loves spending time with them and is constantly inspired by their amazing talents.

What is your favorite color?

Kelly Green.  (It might have been in a few collections.)

 

Stacy used some of the green prints from Jungle Paradise for Moda's Sampler Spree quilt-along in 2021.

What is your favorite season and why?

Spring!. I love when the flowers are in full bloom and all the leaves are on the trees.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

I am a morning person through and through. By 4pm, I don’t allow myself to start any new projects because my brain is just not at 100%.

The ABC...xyz collection - arriving in shops this fall.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Designer. I loved creating at a very young age.

 

Alphabet Log Cabin - made with the ABC...xyz Alphabet Panel and yardage.  Alphabet Log Cabin finishes at 66" x 66", and it is SIH074.

What inspires you daily?

I’m inspired by my three kids. So much of what I create is because of them, as well as when I was a child. The way they play, interpret, and create themselves is so inspiring.

 

Joyful Joyful.  Inspired by one of Stacy's favorite childhood memories, this Christmas collection will be in shops in August 2022.

What is your favorite food?

I love food from all countries. The beauty of living in the Bay Area is that it is so diverse, and we are exposed to so many cuisines. I honestly can’t pick a favorite, but I would have to say that Japanese and French food are at the top of the list.

Poinsettia Parade features nine large blocks and sashing to make a quilt that finishes at 81" x 81".  The pattern is SIH070.

Where was your best vacation?

My all-time best vacation so far was going to Egypt before I got married. It was such a wonderful experience. The food, history and people were just spectacular.

 

The Nativity is a sampler-style quilt with a variety of blocks inspired by a nativity.  It finishes at 57" x 67", and it is SIH069.

What is your favorite movie? Actress or Actor?

I love all movies by Wes Anderson. He is a creative genius and the visuals are just breathtaking. It is absolute art, and so inspiring.

 

The Sea and Me - this collection is in shops now.

Sea Sampler - SIH064 / Underwater Garden - SIH066

Lil Whale - SIH068 / Fish Tales - SIH067 / Deep Blue Sea - SIH065

What are the words you live by?

Every person is special and has a story. Listen and learn.

And finally, what are your Top Five Notions?

• Rotary Cutter - the Olfa 45mm cutter
• Seam Ripper - the Large Ergonomic Soft Grip in Purple by Dritz
• Flex Foam - Pellon Flex Foam Interfacing-Stabilizer in White
• Firm Interfacing - Pellon 72F Peltex Two-Sided Fusible Ultra Firm
• 6½" x 24½" rotary ruler - the Creative Grids ruler CGR2

Thank you!  

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For more with Stacy:

• Instagram - @stacyiesthsu
  
• Website - www.stacyiesthsu.com
  
• Blog - www.stacyiesthsu.com/blog/
  
• Facebook - Stacy Iest Hsu Designs
• Pinterest - Stacy Iest Hsu